Is This Newcastle’s Best Team For Swansea?

We would be very surprised if Steve McClaren doesn’t start the same team tomorrow that started against Southampton that did quite well last Sunday until the last 15 minutes when we seemed to tire, and also didn’t help ourselves by giving the ball away too much.

Those are two areas Steve McClaren will be looking for an improvement in tomorrow at the Liberty Stadium.

Vurnon Anita – in action last Sunday
Players pushing for a start include Aleksandar Mitrovic, Siem de Jong and Rolando Aarons, but the team last week played well and will be given another chance tomorrow.

this looks like another 2-2 tie. Haidara is a liability no defense. Really hope perez, SDJ or arrons start over ober. WOuld love to see colt 45 instead of cisse. He goes silent for most of the game. His goal was the first time he touched the ball and he WAS very lucky to get that oppurtunity

That’s quite a bench you’ve got there Ed.
Would have Aarons and Mitrovich in the team though.
We still look short of a bit of wing class like Thauvin, Konoplyanka or Janusaj and certainly need a dominating tall, aggressive central defender who can consistently clear high balls coming into the box.
Hope we don’t have to wait until NEXT summers window however.

Somebody stated on the last post that Pelle’s goal was a good goal and would not have been defended against most teams. To be honest I would agree with this. Shane is also great for his leap and getting a head on goal…did it against England 😉

The fact that both goals were headers immediately leads to the height question. I think the real reason for the first goal was communication. Colo and Mbemba had never played together before, Colo was attracted to the ball and should have been called back by Mbemba. Mbemba was then caught in two minds between Pelle and Rodriguez coming in late. Again this is Janmaat who should give him the call.

That sort of situation is easily resolved and the more you play with somebody the more natural it gets. I think they just need time. Hopefully should see an improvement this week.

Well, I’ve gone for another 2-2 on my super6, which may well be a recurring scoreline for us this season. We have goals in us, both on the pitch and from the bench, but we also have defensive problems. I know a lot won’t agree, but I would play Willo ahead of Collo until we find another tall centre back. In games when we’ve played against Carroll for example, Willo has never let him score if I’m not mistaken? Tomorrow it’s Gomis, we need somebody to match his height and to jump with him at least. After watching Collo last week, I can’t see Willo doing any worse – which says more about Collo than Willo really. Horses for courses. Mbemba can cover any speed threat through the middle, but with both goals last week coming from headers, like it or not – and I’m not exactly ecstatic about it – Willo offers better ariel cover.

I’ll be surprised if Mitrovich starts and would expect him to come on later to grab a goal. If he does start Wally will have to be 100% satisfied that he isn’t going to do something daft and get sent off. Potential good battle with Ashley Williams and possible flashpoint.

I have us down for a draw in this one and I think it would be a really good result. I don’t see any changes being made to the lineup unless Anita isn’t fully recovered. Why change anything after a positive result last week?

Obertan got an assist and that’s what he’s there to do so it makes no sense to drop him, it sends out a bad message to the squad. If you do what you’re supposed to, you keep your place. People need to realise this is not fantasy football and most managers don’t chop and change every week.

Not sure myself…IMO the only two positions with any flexibility in them is Obertan and Cisse…the rest pretty much pick themselves unless he changes the set-up

McClaren has openly stated Obertan was only in the team to stop Coates from storming forward. The interesting thing about Obertan is his perceived threat…not his actual ability. Because he’s so quick defenders don’t like to go past him because once they’re out of position and Obertan gets in behind the lines he is classed as a threat even though his end product 9 times out 10 is absolutely pants.

Coates was brought off at half time and the game was then dead on Obertans wing because he posed no threat whatsoever…APART FROM HIS ONE CROSS LEADING TO OUR 2ND GOAL!!!!

My problem with Obertan is he has no confidence…he doesn’t show himself and doesn’t demand the ball…he almost reluctantly accepts thinking “why have you given it to me.”

He’s only happy running past people but as soon as he has to cross the ball doubt springs to mind and cuts back inside or checks and passes back…it’s a real shame but he’s just got no confidence unlike Gillespie who would run and cross all day long.

I don’y think Swansea play with a marauding full back so I think Obertans influence on the game will be reduced so possibly Aarons or SDJ out there.

I don’t think Mitrovic will start but Cisse starting at this stage of the season serves two purposes…

1.) He’s in the shop Window to be sold in this transfer window

2.) Mitrovic is not match fit yet

I think Mitrovic and Perez and Armour and Rivi are enough cover for the front position TBH…I don’t think Cisse is worth keeping now. I think we’d get 6-7 million for him and get 60k a week off the wages so I think he’ll go

I don’t think Tiote will want to stay after 3 games of not starting either.

Shearer and DraghL
I said after the game that the Pelle goal would beat the best defenders. However, it is worrying to see your captain go AWOL. You’re right. I said that too when people were blaming Mbemba.

Colo drifts towards the ball and leaves his man. Mbemba then gets caught in two minds for a split second.

Yes communication by Mbemba would have helped. Something like “Hoy curly locks. Where the f*** do you think you’re going now, you useless tw@t”.

I urged everyone to watch Colo for that first goal again. Certainly, every budding centre back should. Why? Because it shows exactly what not to do. The cross would have ended up on the far side if there wasn’t a player in the middle to redirect it. It could just as easily have reached Colo’s man and ended in the net without the need for an outstanding leap. Typical Colo. AWOL.

Martoon, I’ve just been back a couple of pages, see what ya mean. 🙂 Gonna be a tough match tomorrow marra, I’ve gone 2-2 again, but would love to be proven wrong – in our favour! I’d seriously play Willo tomorrow, just to offer some height at the back. Gomis is a big booger and needs somebody as tall marking him. Not that I rate Willo – god forbid – but we look wide open once the crosses are allowed to come in. Mbemba can jump, but he’ll need a step ladder against Gomis and Collo just looked awful last week. What say you?

Rotonda…One on my hopes for this season is that it’ll finally be clear to most what a, not only tidy player, but important player Anita is /could be for the team.

When he’s had runs in the past he’s been really good. Often picking up MOTM awards in the process, but shortly after is forgotten, as it’s the small things he does.

Big season ahead for the little man.

Blackley…”“Hoy curly locks. Where the f*** do you think you’re going now, you useless tw@t” Certainly gave me a smile. From what I understand he speaks next to no English, but that phrase should certainly be high on the priority list to learn.

i’m one of ober’s biggest critics he’s never been good enough and yes i understand he’s had the odd good game here and there but he’s never been a player you can depend on !

that said i think he deserves to start next game >.< the reason being i was calling hell outa pards for dropping in form players and even though i dont like to admit it ober was def one of our better players last game which i must praise him as there was a fair few of our lads who had a good game !

maybe macca gets the best out of him ? i doubt it but unless its tried we will never know.

krul must start
hairdyer must start
mbemba must start
janmaat must start
anita must start
colback must start
tiote must start
sissoko must start
siem must start
wijnaldum must start
rolando must start
cisse must start
mitrovic must start

can we have 13 players on the pitch with 1 cb ? i’m sure alex fergusson would have gotten away with it !

Sparky
The guy next to me hates Anita. He calls him Vernon Troy (I worked out he means Verne Troyer). I agree with him on most things but not this. Anita’s sloppy at times and needs to be more careful, but he puts in a decent shift every time and only rarely drops a clanger.

JB…Has there not been one? Perhaps we should take it upon ourselves to keep the comments alive and kicking with Austin updates?

This just in, Charlie Austin rumoured to have had a sip of his drink. It went down the wrong way and he coughed. It is believed this will not derail any potential move, with NUFC in pole position to sign the striker from QPR.

I can’t believe people are calling for Williamson to be reinstated. He has been criticised for his lack of footballing ability and rightly so , now people are saying we need him due to his height. How very fickle.

Betty, g’day to you. My point was that right now, there’s little to chose between Collo and Willo. Both decidedly average. Willo at least offers a challenge to Gomis. My concern is that, like last week, we do really well, only to concede headed goals that could be avoided. I have said previously that Wixllo plays better with anybody other than Collo, for whatever reason, and maybe it might – only might – be worth trying him with Mbemba. Mbemba can cover him speedwise, whilst he can jump with Gomis and at worst, put him off. He has always, to be fair to him, had the likes of Carroll in his pocket in games, and he’s more of a threat than Gomis in the air. Just really looking for a way of negating the threat Gomis offers in the air. Horses for courses. Carthorses granted, but still horses! 🙂

Bobbybee.. I don’t get the Williamson wins everything in the air, he doesn’t, half of time he’s climbing all over the attackers with elbows and knees flailing all over the place, i’m surprised he hasn’t given away more pens, he is a complete shambles of a defender, he’s slow, clumsy, thick, he just had no awareness about whats going on around him then panics and hoofs the ball either out for a throw or lands at the opposing teams feet, sorry but i hope he never plays for the Toon again.

Ibiza, serial cougher? Ebola carrier must be taken into consideration when buying. Another million off – kerching! Getting better by the minute. Glad to be of help – an argument based on a misunderstanding is just wasted effort innit? 🙂

Managers have to act like they are happy with what they have. If they have to work with it the worst thing they can do is tell the whole world that the players are shit.

Mcclaren has to play diplomat to the media. Of course he wants better players. But he can’t say that without pi55ing off his squad.

I think tomorrow is a tough call.
Swansea can beat anyone on their day.
We will be underestimated given our recent form.
We are unknown with the changes to the coaching.

There’s nothing to say we won’t be pleasantly surprised and come out with a win. Southampton have looked good all pre season but we dominated them for large parts of the game and less match fitness.

Those moaning about emulating Swansea?

Why. See past the stature of Swansea and they have succeeded where so many fail in consolidating in the prem and bundling from that in a sustainable way.
That’s what we should be doing. Building a club on a good coaching platform to keep improving incrementally.

Bobbybee…That is true, when it’s based on a misunderstanding, when it’s based on a desire to have said arguement for the sake of it, it’s even more of a waste of effort. But still, about this Austin – the guy is falling apart. I’d offer £3m max. Spare parts for the rest of the team.

JackButler
An Austin thread that happens to mention how bad Carver was last season?

We believe that if Austin does come North he will develop his career so much better under the coaching of Steve McClaren than ever he would under the hapless John Carver, who was probably the worst head coach in the history of the Newcastle club.

Goofy, THAT’s what these pages are all about matey! Differing opinions. 🙂 Don’t get me wrong, I’m no closet Willo fan, but just jumping alongside a player prevents them getting a clear header. In an ideal world, we’d have a new CB in place once the winsdow shuts, but until then, we’re wide open to crosses – as Sunday highlighted all too clearly. I don’t WANT Willo in the team, I just don’t see any viable alternative to dangerous crosses.

Betty, agree mate, but defenders’ first job is to defend. I’m genuinely concerned with the lack of height – ffs, why else would I even suggest Willo – which cost us points on Sunday. Highlights the need to buy a big commanding CB asap, if nothing else. If we concede silly headed goals again this weekend, I’m not sure where it leaves us. I must stress, I don’t want Willo in the team, but until we sign somebody else, this conceding headers is going to cost us points. Anyway, it was more to get football back on the agenda really. 🙂

I’m a bit gobsmacked we didn’t sign ayew. It felt like a no brainer, free, not crazy wages, young, experienced international, fast, explosive, goal scorer.
Yet we get linked with thauvin at 12m. Puzzling.

Ibiza, three sounds better than where we started for sure! Dunno if you remember Billy’s Boots from some comic back in the day, but maybe if Obertan wore Austins feet, his shooting might improve. If you don’t go back that far, Billy’s Boots were possessed by some great old footballer, and when Billy wore them, he played like him. Might work lmao!

Bobby….. I think Chancel s athleticism and superior coordination will make up for his lack of height. He s got a great leap in him so let’s see how he copes. He comes with a good reputation at CB. He’ll need time to settle in to the PL, but like I said we’ve got to start making changes. Williamson is not pleasing to the eye in anything he does.

Harley, I might well be wrong, but I believe Ayew went to Swansea because he was free and wanted to join up with somebody he knows well there? I believe reading something like that somewhere when it happened. Can’t remember who it is though. Not much help, but maybe someone else can fill in the blanks.

Betty, it’s not Mbemba that worries me. I’ve seen him jump and it’s impressive enough for me, but he can only mark one man to be fair. It was just something I thought worth discussing tbh. Ideally Willo will never play again, but Collo’s contribution scared me to death last week. If he’s the answer going forward, I’m at a loss as to what exactly is the question. Let’s hope it was just rustiness!

Harley, I didn’t get it either matey, but I’m 98% sure there was some personal reason for him choosing Swansea from what I read somewhere. I’m not sure he even considered any other club, which struck me as bizarre. I’m sure somebody on here knows the full spec on it.

Blackley saw your reply the other night and without wanting to reheat yesterday’s leftovers. I see your point. From the perspective that fans from faraway have no right to ridicule or berate those who attend matches, or the idea that we should be relegated for the purposes of some weird catharsis, I agree – the point can be made to boycott, but the choice is the individuals.

Bobbybee
One thing that would help is to make sure we don’t give away silly free kicks near our box. It cost us dear too many times. Drove me bonkers. Why wantonly concede there when you know you can’t defend crosses?

Belfast –
I posted earlier with a 2-2 forecast. What is of concern is our defence against a very pacy Swansea. Watching the Chelsea game their front three of Montero, Gomis and Ayew caused Chelsea’s back four real problems. We missed out on Ayew – although you never really know how interested we were. Ivanovic is usually dominant but Montero caused him all sorts of problems and Gomis got behind Terry and Cahill surprisingly easily. Early season form can be misleading though. Haïdara- I have reservations about him defensively but he does have pace and along with Mbemba should combat the challenge. Post match reviews that I have read have focussed on the game being mainly won and lost on the flanks. Mainly because our goals against Southampton came from wide positions, with Obertan justifying his selection. Swansea caught Chelsea on the counterattack But they will be wary of us catching them in a similar way- Macca saw Obertan’s selection as being tactical and he could well do tomorrow.

Tsunki
You were talking last night about my sort of attitude dividing the fan base. What gets forgotten is where it started. Foreign based fans who don’t attend advocating boycotts and insulting local fans for giving Ashley money.

I’m pleased that some fans have commented that they know exactly what I mean about the local pride aspect. I get the impression that some bloggers from afar think its a figment of my imagination and is meant to be elitist. It’s not.

I’m all for foreign fans supporting the club. There’s a very good piece on Toonsy’s blog about support in the US, which is great news. All I’m saying is don’t suppose we’re all the same. The club means different things to different people.

Some people like Welshie support the Toon as their second club. Does that make him a valid fan? Yes in my book. But he doesn’t half get some stick on here for it as if he or someone similar is not legitimate. He has chosen to support Newcastle. He’s a fan of the club just like everybody else and entitled to voice an opinion.

All I’m saying is: don’t join a club from afar and then tell the locals they’re wrong when you’re not a local. Everyone has different cultures and just because an Aftican, American, Asian etc becomes a Newcastle fan doesn’t mean he becomes a Geordie and understands what the club is about. They will have their own culture that I don’t understand and even if I moved abroad for 20 years, I might never understand it.

In short, I don’t like anyone slagging off loyal fans, the Toon army foot soldiers, and I will speak up for them.

Bobbybee
I know very little about rugby and cant follow the rules. But it drives me mad when I watch a hard fought match of toil and guts, balanced on a knife edge, only to see a player deliberately put his hand somewhere he shouldn’t and concede a penalty within easy kicking distance. Game over. What’s that all about?

‘Foreign based fans who don’t attend advocating boycotts and insulting local fans for giving Ashley money’.

never once did I give any supporter living there any insults, in fact, my whole response was, I have no say, I am NOT there… I can truly understand both sides of the argument… wanting better from ownership, and still supporting the club you grew up with.

my only issue is that if one is not from there, he is no less a fan, than one who is across the street… its actually harder to be able to watch stateside, but with the advent of the rights on nbcsports, it has made it easier…

I will end this post by being humble, and apologizing for any offence you may have taken, but i do wish you to understand, supporters are everywhere, not just tyneside, and are just as loyal…

Welshie
In the original internet sense of the word you and I , ARE trolls.
Not Nordic devils that hide under bridges like that fool Tuffty thinks .
When I was a kid I used to poach the lakes at Cragside near Rothbury . We used spinners called Meps which involved casting far and slowly reeling in hoping for a bite , that type of fishing was called trolling.
That’s what you and do kidda , we post stuff hoping for a bite (response)
The negative shyte that goes with modern trolls trying to stir things up has kind of muddied the waters with the bad connotations but if you are an old time blogger Troll is not an insult.

Jail
I use Welshie as an example. You can be a fan of two clubs and have your preference. As a local, he probably had no choice about Swansea and he chose NUFC as a second club. Does that mean he’s not a NUFC fan? That seemed to be the opinion on here. I didn’t take him as a troll.

He’s not been around lately. Perhaps he’s now chosen a different second team to follow?

That Welsh sheep business was a bit odd. Some prankster pretending to be a few different people on here, including me at one stage. I’d love to know who that was. I take it you reckon that was Welsh. It was funny for a while.

Don’t get too cocky, yes, i agree Swans play a lot of teams off the park… But not really against the big teams, that’s why they normally finish around 8th. But given there past that is a really good achievement to consistently get top 10 football league position. If I was a Swansea fan I would be excited.

Tsunki…Still with the fence? Been a little while now mate. Moving on however, why on Earth would you start this discussion again? I mean seriously?

Blackley…Forget everything else for just one second. Just concentrate on locals, those who shouldn’t be told what to do. Even those very fans didn’t agree on the issue. It has nothing to do with overseas fans, or fans who have never been to SJP. It’s never been the issue, yet you insist on trying to make it so.

You may well not want to hear it from someone who doesn’t fit your criteria of being a higher grade fan, but the content wasn’t an issue of origin or location.

I do agree, and always have, that it is of course each individuals choice. That doesn’t however mean we shouldn’t be able to discuss the merits of either side, no matter your own background. That’s just ridiculous and goes against everything I believe in. How do you progress if you don’t discuss and listen to differing opinions…even if those opinions come from non-locals?

For what it’s worth, I fought the opposite side of this arguement a few years back on this very blog.

A few comments about Obertan.
You would think that other teams and coaches will have noted how he damaged Southampton. That’s good. For once the opposition will be thinking about the positive approach of Newcastle and will have to be more cautious which puts them into negative frame of mind. If we can use that to get ahead away from home we have control of the game.
Positive thinking.

How can you say swans haven’t beaten the big sides, swans done the double over Man Utd last season and i think arsenal as well, when swans won the league cup against Bradford they beaten Liverpool and Chelsea.

Perez doesn’t have the perceived defensive support to cover the full back, I say perceived as I actually don’t think Obertan is that good at defensive duties but he’s a big muscular lad in the way that Perez isn’t. I think Steve McClean is very much in the mould of Pardew in that he likes his wingers to be able to defend.
This does throw up a few issues, why our interest in Thauvin? What’s he going to do with Cabella and Aarons, are they going to be used only as part time impact players?

Ok welsh chill out, I said that I agree that Swansea are a really good team. Yes they did the double over Manure for like the first time in there history which is great. But if they beat so many of the big teams last season how come they finished 8th? Or wherever they finished lol.

it would have been far easier to have become a manure fan, or a Chelsea and arsenal one, its closer to my friends in London, and I would’ve been more welcomed I imagine… however, when I saw my 1st match of NUFC, I was hooked, the crowds, the singing, the passion of the fanbase, as well as the team itself….

but it seems since im a second tier supporter, im not a Geordie, I cant have any sort of opinion, and that’s why I will take my leave, and rarely post anymore…

Obertan gets the nod because his pace makes the opposition drop deeper to accommodate it also to occupy attacking full backs,, mclaren pretty much said as much mentioning how cedric soares got hacked off at half time..

You should start watching the game at 0.02
0.06s: Soton player carry the ball downwards ..seeing Colo right infront..no go.
0.07s: Pass out wide right..
0.07+s: Haidara signal to Colo to HIS MARKED MAN as he is about to get forward to close down the Wide Soton Man.
0.08s: Colo follow in and close Soton player down
0.0.8+s: Mbemba signal out to Janmaat to Watch out the 2 Soton guys behind him.

0.09: Meanwhile Colo was busy tussling with a Soton player which he was ask to Marked by Haidara.

10s: A deep cross comes in Haidara couldn’t reach in time to block it.

Clearly at the back was 3 ON 3.
With 3 Newcastle defenders Marking 3 Soton Attackers.

11s: Upon knowing the Cross was Deep it will bend pass him and dropping towards Janmaat and Mbemba..
(He knows his role of covering is over)

12s: He runs towards the Goal Line..to protect Anything.

12s: The ball comes down.. Both Mbemba and Soton Jumps..(before Mbemba head could reach the ball its was already headed downwards goal) Mbemba positioning was marginally off.

Facts
1) Clearly Mbemba was out jumped and position was slightly off.
2) Krul was beaten near pole.

IF
If the Soton player whom was Marked by Colo scored. This Curly hair monster would be at fault.

Dok @128
Slagging off the locals from abroad and telling fans of 30, 40, 50 years how they are wrong for not supporting boycotts and how they are not helping the club got right up my nose. Some would even have had us relegated to satisfy their hatred of the owner. Even worse when it then transpires that some of them are youngsters who’ve never even been to SJP.

If some fans decide they’ve had enough and don’t want to renew season tickets while Ashley is here, that’s their choice and I respect it. I’m not going to criticise them, even though I don’t feel the same way.

I don’t recall who it was I was responding to at the time; there were quite a few. I have not linked your continual insults towards me back to then. I have just ignored them. I have to say it’s odd that I was under the ban threat for apparently not observing house rules, whilst others continue to insult and abuse people for months on end without any fear of sanction.

I note the boycotters are claiming Ashley ‘s apparent change of heart is down to them. They may be right but I don’t think so. The boycotts weren’t supported by the vast majority. The threat of relegation and loss of the lucre was the reason for the recent spend. Even Ashleys detractors say hes only motivated by money. It seems they want to argue it both ways. You just had to see Ashley and Charney ‘s relief on the last day to know they wouldn’t want to put themselves through that again.

They thought they knew the risk. King Percy told them and us of his European ambitions, even though many fans on this blog and elsewhere warned of relegation. The rest is history. King Percy was given leave to go and the risk has been re-appraised.

Dok
Genuine question
I don’t know where in the States you are from but how do you think folk on a Cowboy NFL blog (if such a thing exists ) would react to a Brit who had never been to Dallas criticising Jerry Jones or commenting on their players and coach ?

please tell me when I “slagged off the locals”? for the love of god, please do not confuse me with Ciaran… I stated I believe everyone has their own decision to make, and I never told anyone to do otherwise.. is this, you are right,… I recall talking to BandB about her choice to give up her ST, I said that had to have been one of the toughest decisions to ever make,..

all I know, is this.. I support this club, like I support my teams here… sad that I even said I humbly apologized for any offence taken, was not the way to handle it, but when continually harped about your “superiority” to fans abroad, well, that is a shame… maybe instead of turning up your nose, teach overseas fans what it means to be a supporter, welcome them, instead of acting like a snob perhaps? again, I do apologize for reacting to snide comments, that is on my head…

for the record, I never once asked to ban you, its a blog, in fact only once have I emailed Ed, and it was in response to a certain poster using homosexual epithets at me… feel free to ask Ed….

anyway, not that it matters, ill still support my club, with or without this blog…

Did the fan unrest make Ashley change his ways? Who knows for sure. It’d probably be fair to say it was a combination of things (assuming he’s changed his ways of course…).

Not sure what his interview was about though, other than to get fans back onside.

I do think, if nothing else, the boycotts showed a lot of people that, if wanted, the fans CAN do something. That for me was worthwhile.

The fans have needed some sort of spark. Whatever it was, is, I don’t really care. I just cannot stand seeing an abused and downbeaten fan base, which is how it seemed to me.

Blackley…One thing before I go. Your statement “to satisfy their hatred of the owner” is just your opinion. It’s not based on fact. You’re completely wrong. You may not understand or agree, fair enough, but try not to assert things you don’t understand. It just complicates things.

Can we all move on again now? Tsunki worked his magic. It’ll only end in tears.

before jumping on top of me as well, read above, from what others have said, I do believe I am allowed to have an opinion…my god, its like a witchhunt here… “if youre not from here, your opinion, your support is worth absolutely nothing”…

My thoughts …
Mbemba was careless. I believe he was nervous and wanted to keep himself calm and compose and as usual he went for the high ball but didn’t expect that Soton fellow to Jump so freaking high.

The next moment he is awake…Its their 1st start together and they will understand more as they play along. We should hope for that to happen… been a long time now.

Stop worrying about players that are starting its the players that are bought in at a certain cost that is not starting…

Jail
Yes, I’ve argued against Ashley ‘s detractors in the interests of balance and what I consider to be realism. Yes, I’ve questioned the validity of a lot of what’s been thrown at him. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been highly critical too.

You seem to want it both ways. On the one hand Ashley is only in it for the money and doesn’t give a damn about anything else, especially not the fans. On the other hand, it was the fans who forced his hand not the prospect of losing £100m of revenue per season indefinitely. I think it’s obvious what the motivational factor is.

By the way, I’m still waiting to see the horse for the cart. A lot of people are getting carried away with recent changes. I knew a few signings and a little bit of pre-season optimism would keep the fans happy for a while. At one time the blog was all about boycotts to get rid of Ashley. You can’t even put a rein on the optimism now without being damned as a negger.

I hope so and I also want to see if Cabella is any better in the No.10 position behind Mitro. As much as I’m a big De Jong supporter, we need to see him making an impact in the coming months. Cabella played his best games there apparently.

I and others have been trying for years to analyse, examine, disect my team’s performance and you, Dennis Twice, put what I’m trying to say, precisely and succinctly every time. Hats off mate, this one’s for you:

It really is pretty loathsome to see the people who a slyly making common cause with the Ashley diehards trying to bitch-slap Ibizatoon off the blog.
Ibiza is getting it in the neck for some for crossing the floor. As usual is the ones who bitch but don’t have the guts to commit doing most of the smartarse stuff.
Ibiza. The support network is all on the optimists side. The cynics are generally lone wolves you can’t trust as far as you can kick. They will co-operate for an easy kill, if there is something in it for them. usually with a view to dragging off the corpse behind your back.
They are not generous people.

Dok @189
I think you’ve picked me up wrong. I’m not accusing you of anything other than throwing vile insults at me. I didn’t know why. I just didn’t respond to them because I don’t need to.

I’m not questioning your support for the club or your fanship. I’m explaining the reasons I made the comments I did because they have led you to dislike me. I’ve not said you made the comments. I can’t even recall who I was debating with, what if anything you said to me or what I said to you.

Dok
chill pal your post is as valid as anyone’s,, we’re all here for tha same reason,, discussing tha team we love,, for the record I think it’s quality ppl from all over the world decide to support tha team where I’m from and tht get too know about tha passion of the geordies and how we are the best fans in the land for all different types of reasons.. Pretty much how I buzz off newcastle this yr getting voted the number one city to visit this yr in th guardians newspaper poll,, I think too many of our supporters see ppl who aren’t from here like we view man u fans as in they’re from everywhere but manchester and not knowing enough or anything about th club but jus for the fact alone out of all the teams to call your own you choose the biggest ever let down under achieving club going n share our yearly pain is canny sound and commendable ha..

Kemen is a real strange one as everyone seems to wants him as he’s regarded as a real tallent (not seen anything of him myself) but if he’s such a tallent why is he coming to the end of his deal with us? Have the club dropped the ball yet again? Or does the lad want something thats not realistic?

Ibiza @191
It is my opinion that many fans wanted boycotts and relegation to satisfy their hatred of the owner and to get rid of him. You say I shouldnt make assumptions. You assume I am targetting you and only you. I am not. How can you know that many fans were not so motivated?

JB
Hmm if we brought in someone amazing I wouldnt mind Aarons dropping down the pecking order if am honest haha

If Kemen is as good as everyone thinks it really goes against the Ashley model if we lose him for next to nothing so am not sure that he actually is that good BUT much like u I dont often watch our reserves and the French under 19s so who the hell knows what he is like….no doubt someone on here will be an avid fan and explain he is the next Pirlo then we will never hear about Kemen again

Dok
I have no problem in apologising if I come across with a holier than thou attitude. I don’t mean to come across that way. I don’t believe I’ve got one although I’m sure some people will never be convinced. I know I get picked up wrong, but many people do on here. It’s the nature of the medium.

Blackley….Each and every one I spoke with shared the view. I discussed the issue with quite a few people too. I agree not all though, so I should give some leeway with my comment. I didn’t assume you were targetting me, but I was part of the collective you are targetting.

I’d say there are few who, if Ashley really changed things, would not get past what went before. The truth is they do just want what is best for the club. Is the bad feeling deeply ingrained? I’ll speak for me, yes. I’ve found the last period of time under Ashley completely unnecessary. There has been no need for it. That I do have a big issue with, but have no problem with second chances. They have to be sincere though. As always, time will tell. As of today, I’m not convinced. Some improvements though, which are of course always welcome.

I did just re-read your comment before submitting. Of course we wanted rid of Ashley, not exactly a hard one to figure out. It wasn’t about satisfying a hatred though, as you suggest. It’s to get Ashley out, as we didn’t believe him to be good for our club. Please change it around Mike, wouldn’t that just be grand?

Llort
Haha I was joking really bud but aye that Burnley kid lied on here and I just dont get the lying thing…much like I dont really get the troll thing. So if u are either likelihood is we wont get on but time will tell

I know he’s done well in the past but a can’t understand why they went after him!!!

Of the potential list of replacements for Moyes LVG wouldn’t make it into my top 10, maybe it was because they believed they had to bring in a name the fans would get behind? Who know’s. All I know it will be fun to watch them fail again, personally I hope Arsenal win the league and that Jose throws a paddy and storms off into the sunset

In honor of two dedicated Newcastle fans, who lost their lives supporting Newcastle United.

Their passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine on Thursday July 17th, 2014 by rebels, as they were traveling to support the team in New Zealand.

We will never forget them.

Health Update - 4 Aug, 2016

The good news last week was that after more blood tests my PSA count is still undetectable

This means the prostate cancer is still under control, and there is no trace of it in the body.

Now to be even more vigilant so I can see the Rafa Benitez project come to its fruition over the next few years - wouldn't want to miss that.

Howay The Lads!!>

Ed Harrison

What Is A Football Club?

What is a club in any case?

Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it.

It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes.

It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city.

It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.